Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. 2016

Each year we honor fine-dining establishments in America that reach the top echelon of gastronomy, where meals transcend mere sustenance.

Browse GAYOT’s selections for the 2016 Top 40 Restaurants in America, presented in alphabetical order.

Addison

San Diego, CA

Chef William Bradley orchestrates exceptional, seasonal haute cuisine in a lavish European-style setting at Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort. See more…

Alinea

Chicago, IL

Chef Grant Achatz and owner Nick Kokonas have ushered in a new era at Alinea following extensive renovations to the dining areas and kitchen. See more…

Atelier Crenn

San Francisco, CA

Discover chef Dominique Crenn and the restaurant with our exclusive video interview.

Chef Dominique Crenn’s “poetic culinaria” tasting menu features luxurious ingredients and unique presentations. See more…

Aubergine

Carmel, CA

Aubergine executive chef Justin Cogley’s creativity with top-tier, seasonal and local products (especially from the sea) leans towards the playful and beautifully executed. See more…

Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Tarrytown, NY

Blue Hill at Stone Barns strikes a fine balance between traditional charm and modern amenities, an archetype. A working farm, education center, and bar and restaurant, it is truly unique. See more…

Brushstroke

N
New York, NY

You’d never guess what was going on behind the rice paper-shrouded windows at Brushstroke, but there’s serious food and saké artistry happening. See more…

Chef Mavro

Honolulu, HI

Chef Mavro not only features the finest ingredients Hawaii has to offer, but also supplements them with luxurious imported items. Thanks to the formidable skills of chef-owner George Mavrothalassitis, the results of this sublime culinary marriage are always elegant and intriguing. See more…

Daniel

New York, NY

Chef extraordinaire and entrepreneur Daniel Boulud’s eponymous fine dining establishment is a grand “dinner-theatre” masterpiece. See more…

Eleven Madison Park

New York, NY

Enjoy an evening of epicurean entertainment at Eleven Madison Park, where chef Daniel Humm and Will Guidara demonstrate theatrical flair while presenting one of the world’s finest dining experiences. See more…

Epic Restaurant

Columbus, GA

Surrounded by art, fine dining in a restored historic building could not be more exciting. Presentation matters at Epic Restaurant — the food is as much a delight to behold as to savor. See more…

Frasca Food and Wine

Boulder, CO

Chef/co-owner Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson‘s constantly changing menu at Frasca Food and Wine is a tribute to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy that also relies on a bumper crop of foodstuffs from local farmers, ranchers and purveyors. See more…

The French Laundry

Yountville, CA

There are few restaurants where dining inspires a pilgrimage. The French Laundry’s vortex compels zealots from around the world. See more…

Grace

Chicago, IL

At Curtis Duffy’s refined New American restaurant, ultra-luxe, set-price “Flora” and “Fauna” menus arrive in jaw-dropping fashion. See more…

The Inn at Little Washington

Washington, VA

Sixty-seven miles away from Washington, DC, self-taught chef Patrick O’Connell is not only far away from the influence of Washington beltway restaurants, he’s also far outside the stiff mold of great classical rules and techniques. See more…

Jean-Georges

New York, NY

Jean-Georges Vongerichten continues to enrich his impressive repertoire, translating his new ideas in dishes marked with his unique and unforgettable seal, at the centerpiece of his restaurant empire. See more…

Joël Robuchon Restaurant

Las Vegas, NV

Joël Robuchon is one of the few who have made contemporary gastronomy what it is today. See more…

L’Espalier

Boston, MA

Chef/proprietor Frank McClelland’s French-inspired New American cuisine at L’Espalier is exquisitely built from impeccable local ingredients. See more…

La Toque

Napa, CA

A key player in Napa’s renaissance as a food destination, La Toque is visionary chef Ken Frank’s wish come true. And his vision stayed faithful to foie gras when it was banned in California. See more…

Le Bernardin

New York, NY

A longtime highlight of the New York dining scene, Le Bernardin enlightens diners with a revolutionary approach to seafood. See more…

Le Cirque

New York, NY

Where else but in the Big Apple could there exist a restaurant like the legendary Le Cirque? We give thanks to restaurateur Sirio Maccioni for his relentless effort seasoned with grand style and tenacity. See more…

Manresa

Los Gatos, CA

Nestled at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the quaint town of Los Gatos, Manresa showcases chef David Kinch’s hyper-meditated, progressive cuisine du terroir. See more…

Mélisse

Santa Monica, CA

The epitome of Los Angeles fine dining, Mélisse fluently bridges French sophistication with style. See more…

Michael Mina

San Francisco, CA

Michael Mina’s flagship restaurant presents a prix-fixe menu that includes the chef’s signature “trios” — the preparation of one ingredient or dish three ways. See more…

NAOE

Miami, FL

Japanese/sushi chef Kevin Cory’s strictly omakase (chef’s choice) meals, roughly 20 constantly changing courses, are pretty much a one-man show and the seats are hot tickets. See more…

Patina

Los Angeles, CA

The crown jewel of the culinary kingdom created by chef Joachim Splichal, Patina is a well-orchestrated, elegant and upscale dining experience in downtown Los Angeles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. See more…

Picasso

Las Vegas, NV

At this temple of gastronomy (and veritable Picasso museum), Julian Serrano and his solid team deliver a culinary extravaganza. See more…

Providence

Los Angeles, CA

Over the years, Providence has established and upheld a superior standard of seafood in Los Angeles. See more…

Restaurant August

New Orleans, LA

Chef John Besh’s New Orleans fine dining establishment puts an haute Creole twist on wild fish and fine boutique meats. See more…

Restaurant Guy Savoy

Las Vegas, NV

Expect an all-encompassing experience for the eyes and stomach at Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, the only place in America to savor the cuisine of this celebrated French chef. See more…

The Restaurant at Meadowood

St. Helena, CA

Throughout a meal at The Restaurant at Meadowood, chef Christopher Kostow’s intention is to surprise, disarm and delight. See more…

Restaurant Nicholas

Red Bank, NJ

Nicholas Harary and his wife Melissa, who sharpened their restaurant skills at Manhattan establishments such as Jean-Georges and Tabla, grace New Jersey with a very fine dining experience. Read more…

SAAM at The Bazaar by José Andrés

Los Angeles, CA

In this elegant, quiet dining space hidden within The Bazaar, guests must trust the chef’s creativity and presentation skills as they are treated to a meal composed of nearly two dozen tasting portions. A visit is a discovery every single time. See more…

Saison

San Francisco, CA

At Saison in San Francisco, chef Joshua Skenes achieves perfect harmony with simple ingredients. See more…

Studio

Laguna Beach, CA

The word “studio” may bring to mind an artist’s workshop filled with painted canvases in various states of progress, but this Studio presents the polished seasonal culinary creations of executive chef Craig Strong. See more…

Tru

Chicago, IL

Executive chef-partner Anthony Martin presents progressive French cuisine via two prix-fixe menus in a soaring, art adorned dining room. See more…

Twist by Pierre Gagnaire

Las Vegas, NV

Nestled away on the twenty-third floor of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire provides an extravagant dining experience as well as an oasis of serenity. See more…

Urasawa

Beverly Hills, CA

A kaiseki feast at chef Hiroyuki Urasawa’s exclusive restaurant is one of L.A.’s most extraordinary dining experiences. You practically have your own private chef, as Urasawa’s cypress sushi bar seats no more than eight privileged patrons. See more…

Vetri

Philadelphia, PA

Sit back and entrust your hosts, Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin, to offer a feast of soulful Italian cooking. See more…

Vie

Western Springs, IL

Chef-owner Paul Virant has a gem of a restaurant in a town that had hardly known fine dining before. The winding floor plan and neutral dining room offer a low-key (and stylish) backdrop for innovative and artful but not over-the-top cuisine. See more…

The Willows Inn

Lummi Island, WA

Chef Blaine Wetzel, previously at Copenhagen’s Noma, brings Scandinavian elegance and refined, precise technique to a remote outpost on Lummi Island, located two hours north of Seattle. See more…